1 Tree Management Guidelines Tree Management Guidelines joondalup.wa.gov.au 2 Tree Management Guidelines Tree Management Guidelines 3 Contents Tree Management Guidelines 4 Planting Street Trees within the City 4 Tree Maintenance 5 Tree Removal 5 Preferred Street Tree Species List and Street Tree Species Guide 6 Street Tree Planting Application Form 16 Significant Trees within the City of Joondalup 17 Further Information 18 Significant Tree Nomination Form 19 4 Tree Management Guidelines Site constraints can include verge width, length and Tree Management Guidelines shape, building set back, overhead powerlines, vehicle A street verge is the area between the road and boundary and pedestrian access, street lighting and sightlines. of an adjacent property. The verge provides a safe These factors will influence the most appropriate location pedestrian space and vehicular access to properties. of the street tree. Consideration should also be given The verge also accommodates public service utilities as to whether an evergreen or deciduous tree would such as street lighting, bus stops, power, water, be most appropriate for the site. sewerage and telephone cables. Once a tree is planted on the verge it becomes the Street trees make a significant contribution to the urban City’s responsibility, however, the City relies on assistance streetscape in many ways, providing environmental, from residents by asking that residents give a newly economic and social benefits. Street trees provide habitat planted street tree at least one deep watering (40 litres) for native fauna and cleanse the air in urban areas, they a week in the dry months for the first three years also add value to properties and surrounding areas after planting. and help reduce heating and cooling costs. The City The City has a preferred tree list (refer to page 6) from of Joondalup is committed to maintaining and developing which residents may choose a tree, in consultation with a rich and diverse urban forest with its streetscape for the City. This will ensure an appropriate tree species is the benefit of the whole community. selected for each location. A description and photographic representation of each tree can be found within the Street Planting Street Trees Tree Species Guide Section. within the City Planting under powerlines In accordance with Western Power requirements, only The City endeavours to green and enhance the suitable trees will be planted under powerlines. Please streetscape and will supply and plant trees on residential see attached list. verges free of charge. The City does not permit residents to plant their own trees on the verge without prior approval Hardstand verge treatments (please complete a Verge Treatment Application Form). If a hardstand verge treatment (including synthetic turf) Residents may apply to have one or more trees planted is installed, a minimum 4 metres square (2m x 2m) by the City on the verge adjacent to their property (please clearance must be made accessible to allow planting. see attached form). Subject to a site inspection, the City The City can advise the most suitable position prior will supply one tree for standard (non-corner) properties to the tree well being created. or up to three trees for corner properties (one on the short side of the property, two on the long side). The City undertakes an annual street tree planting program during winter. All applications need to be made on the attached form or via the City’s website and submitted to the City by 31 March of each year. The trees will then be ordered (subject to availability) and planted in the cooler, wetter months. All applications for street tree planting will be assessed by the City to determine if there is adequate room on the verge for the tree/s, the number of trees that may be planted, species selection (for example, if an ‘avenue theme’ is already established), and any additional site constraints that may be relevant. Tree Management Guidelines 5 Tree Maintenance Tree Removal Powerline Pruning The City recognises the importance of preserving trees for the current community and for future generations, however In those suburbs where there are overhead powerlines, the City may remove trees under the following criteria: street trees are pruned to maintain mandatory clearances a. the tree is dead, in decline or past its safe useful life around Western Power infrastructure. b. the tree has been deemed, by a suitably qualified General Pruning person, as a hazard to persons or property and Pruning is generally only undertaken to further the no pruning techniques can alleviate the hazard health and vitality of a tree. If there are concerns that c. the tree is diseased or damaged past the point of the tree is a hazard, damaged, diseased, dangerous recovery and no remedial treatment will be effective or dead, the City will investigate and arrange the most appropriate action. d. a development approved by the City deems the removal necessary, in which case the developer In the interest of public safety and for the health of the shall be responsible for the amenity value, removal, trees, only the City or its licensed contractors are to replacement and establishment costs of a carry out any pruning of street trees. replacement tree Any unauthorised pruning or removal of trees within e. the tree has been planted by a resident without the City, undertaken by persons other than the City the City’s approval and may be removed at the or its licensed contractor, is an offence and prosecution resident’s expense can occur. The Local Government and Public Property Local Law 1999 Part 3 - General Clause 13 (n) states: f. the tree is deemed by the City to be an inappropriate species for that location. “A person shall not on or from any local government property, without having first obtained a written approval Trees will not be pruned or removed for any of the from the local government to do so: cut, break, injure, following reasons: deface, pull up, pick, remove, or destroy any tree, shrub, • falling leaves, bark or fruit causing a nuisance flower, grass or plant of any kind”. • the variety is disliked or a resident’s preference Additionally, Part 13 - Offences and Penalties Clause is for a different species 70 states: “Any person… who does anything which • a perceived danger that the tree or a limb may fail under this local law that person is prohibited from doing, • perceived damage to infrastructure commits an offence.” • the tree shades lawns, gardens, houses, pools, Parties who breach this Local Law may also be responsible solar panels, etc for the amenity value, replacement and establishment • to enhance or clear views, inclusive of advertising costs of a suitable replacement tree. signage • allergy and/or health problems • for the installation of non-essential crossovers or verge paving. 6 Tree Management Guidelines Preferred Street Tree Species List Botanical Name Common Name Height range (m) Suitable for under powerlines Suitable for coastal areas Australian native Australian native Western Deciduous Agonis flexuosa WA Peppermint 6-10 ✓ ✓ Agonis flexuosa ‘After Dark’ After Dark 6-10 Angophora costata Smooth-Barked Apple Myrtle 15-20 ✓ Brachychiton acerifolius Illawarra Flame 15-25 ✓ ✓ Callistemon ‘Kings Park Bottlebrush 4 ✓ ✓ ✓ Special’ Corymbia eximia Yellow Bloodwood 10-12 ✓ Corymbia ficifolia WA Red Flowering Gum 10-15 ✓ Narrow Leaved Black Eucalyptus nicholii 10-20 ✓ Peppermint Eucalyptus sideroxylon rosea Pink Flowering Ironbark 10-15 ✓ Eucalyptus torquata Coral Gum 3-7 ✓ ✓ Jacaranda mimosifolia Jacaranda 10-15 ✓ Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Dwarf Magnolia 4-6 ✓ Gem’ Pistacia chinensis Chinese Pistachio 10-12 ✓ Prunus nigra Flowering Plum 6-10 ✓ Pyrus ussuriensis Manchurian Pear 10-15 ✓ Sapium sebiferum Chinese Tallow 5-7 ✓ ✓ Tree Management Guidelines 7 Street Tree Species Guide 8 Tree Management Guidelines Agonis flexuosa (WA Weeping Peppermint) A flowering evergreen native tree reaching 6-10 metres, with a weeping habit that forms a broad dome shape. The foliage is dark green in colour with smooth edges and produces small white flowers in spring. Agonis flexuosa‘After Dark’ (After Dark) A variety of the Agonis flexuosa, the ‘After Dark’ is a flowering evergreen native tree reaching 6-10 metres. It has burgundy to purple coloured foliage all year round, with tiny white flowers in spring. Tree Management Guidelines 9 Angophora costata (Smooth Bark Apple Myrtle) An evergreen native reaching 15-20 metres which produces large clusters of creamy white flowers in early summer. One of its most attractive features is its grey to salmon pink bark. Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame) A summer deciduous tree to about 25 metres, with bright red flowers appearing on bare branches in spring to early summer. 10 Tree Management Guidelines Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’ (Bottle Brush) An evergreen bushy tree reaching 3-5 metres, produces large amounts of vivid red flowers in spring. It is a good bird-attracting species. Corymbia exima (Yellow Bloodwood) Fast growing tree to about 10 metres, thick blue green leaves, yellowy brown rough bark. Flowers are white to cream and appear to spring. Tree Management Guidelines 11 Corymbia ficifolia (WA Red Flowering Gum) This evergreen Western Australian native grows between 9-11 metres and produces clusters of flowers in various shades of red. The tree also has red new growth in spring. Eucalyptus nicholii (Narrow Leaved Black Peppermint) An evergreen tree growing between 10-20 metres, it features weeping branches, with narrow light blush green foliage and creamy white flowers in autumn. 12 Tree Management Guidelines Eucalyptus sideroxylon rosea (Pink Flowering Ironbark) An upright, evergreen native tree between 10-15 metres with a rounded crown. It features deeply furrowed bark ranging in colour from dark red to black and it flowers in spring with flowers ranging from red to pink. Eucalyptus torquata (Coral Gum) A Western Australian native tree ranging in height from 3-7 metres, it has rough grey bark, dark grey-green foliage and coral red flowers.